Browser Choice Alliance, a group of web browser developers, has sent an open letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, accusing the company of abusing its dominant position in the PC market to promote Edge.
The letter calls on Microsoft to change its approach to browser competition and adopt policies that give users more choice.
In 2024, BCA had already petitioned the European Commission regarding Microsoft’s browser practices. This latest letter marks a more direct challenge to Microsoft’s leadership.
What Microsoft is accused of and what the Browser Choice Alliance is demanding
The BCA’s letter points to several specific tactics it claims Microsoft uses to distort competition between browsers: rebate programs that discourage PC manufacturers from pre-installing rival browsers on Windows devices, the inability to completely uninstall Edge from Windows, system updates that roll back Edge integration within the OS, intrusive and confusing prompts and advertisements when users attempt to download third-party browsers, and Deep Edge integration within apps like Teams, Outlook, and Windows Search.
The letter also highlights the lack of a simple one-click option to completely replace Edge with an alternative browser. The coalition said this
“Microsoft’s actions make it unnecessarily difficult, and in many cases impossible, for PC users to choose and use their preferred browser across all touchpoints.”
The coalition has urged Microsoft to allow third-party browsers to be pre-installed on Windows devices, remove dark patterns that discourage users from downloading or switching browsers, and remove Edge from Windows integration entirely.
They emphasize that competition should be based on browser quality rather than operating system advantage.
Browser competition, regulation, and what happens next
BCA argues that PCs are an important way to access the web and that their importance is increasing with generative AI and web-based services.
It claims that Microsoft’s tactics are harming competition and innovation in the browser market and are attracting regulatory attention outside the United States.
The letter comes at a time when browser competition is facing regulatory pressure from a variety of sources. BCA members include Google Chrome, which was recently classified by a US court as a de facto monopoly in web search and advertising.
The EU’s Digital Markets Act also requires Apple and Google to include browser choice screens, and Mozilla reports that these screens have led to an increase of six million users.
Microsoft has not publicly responded to the open letter. BCA has not said whether it plans to file regulatory complaints if Microsoft does not address its concerns.
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